Forget the Flowers: Buy Mom These Video Games Instead

Today is Mother's Day, a time of the year to celebrate the person who deserves all the praise in the world: your mom.

When you were a kid, you gave her arts and crafts projects made of construction paper, macaroni noodles, and pipe cleaners. As you've gotten older, it's been clothes, accessories, jewelry, or perfume.

But what if you're sick of buying the same thing every year? What if you want to challenge yourself this year and find something for your mom that she may not even know she likes?

This year, what if you got her a video game?

Your mom may not be the biggest gamer in the world, but that doesn't mean she can't enjoy herself on a Wii, Nintendo 3DS, or Xbox. Every console offers a gameplay experience for every type of gamer, your mother included.

So instead of roses, up the ante this Mother's Day with these 10 video games you can buy instead.

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Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Publisher: Capcom

For the mom who loves to read, pick up Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney — Dual Destinies, the latest title from the Ace Attorney series. Honestly, is there any better arbiter of what is right and wrong in your life than your mom? Give her the chance to take these decision-making skills to the courtroom, where Phoenix Wright, Apollo Justice, and Athena Cykes are tasked with untangling a complicated and compelling murder case.

Platform: PS3
Publisher: SCEE

LittleBigPlanet 2 isn't about playing games so much as it is about making them. So if your mom is an arts and crafts geek, then LBP 2 is the way to go for her. Not only will she be able to control Sackboy around in his thrilling 2.5D adventure, but she'll also be given the opportunity to create puzzle, racing, and role-playing levels, designing new worlds and inspiring dynamic forms of creation in the process. Any mother who is an artist will appreciate the chance to work in a new medium.

Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, PS4, PSVita, Mac OS X, Windows, Linux
Publisher: Polytron Corporation

Your mom may miss Fez's countless homages to older video games like Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Tetris, but even if she can't pick up the title's inside jokes, and meta-commentary, she'll still be able to enjoy Fez for its innovative gameplay style and demanding puzzles. Fez is a title that offers the opportunity for gamers of all levels to wrap their head around its inter-dimensional format. If your mom is into logic puzzles, then see what she can make of this title's surreal style.

Platform: iPhone, Android
Publisher: Plain Vanilla Corp.

QuizUp has quietly been making waves on the mobile gaming front for a few months now, and it's time for you mom to join in on the fun. If you don't live near or with your parents anymore, QuizUp is a casual, competitive way to stay in touch with them, offering hundreds of different quizzes for you both to choose from on countless topics. If you've ever played Trivial Pursuit with mom, then she'll love to go head-to-head with you in this.

Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, Mac OS X, Windows, Linux
Publisher: Valve Corporation

Portal 2 is a great game for your mom not only because it's a tough puzzle to solve, but also because it gives the two of you the chance to team up together and solve each of GlaDos' mind-bending tests. In the co-op campaign, the two of you will play as Atlas and P-Body as you make your way through various chambers in search of "the Vault," where a group of human beings are being kept in stasis. Along with the challenge that it offers, your mom may also enjoy Portal 2's dark, distinct humor. No one can be totally immune to Wheatley's charms, right?

Platform: Nintendo DS
Publisher: Nintendo

Parents are always looking for ways to keep their brains sharp as they get older and older, and a game like Brain Age 2 will provide the necessary mental strength training your mom is after. With Sudoku, mathematical games, and word games, Brain Age 2 finds numerous ways to keep the mental calisthenics fun, informative, and stimulating. Plus, if your mother trying to feel young again, perhaps her brain age will give her the validation that she's been seeking.

Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Publisher: Nintendo

In Animal Crossing: New Leaf, your character is given the responsibility of being the mayor of a small rural village, moving up from the previous titles in the series in which you played as a simple citizen. However, if there's anyone who knows how to manage other people, it's your mom. This game tasks your character with a number of real-world activities such as bug-catching, talking with other villagers, outfitting your house, buying clothes, and paying off bills. Basically, it's all sorts of things that your mom knows how to do, but in a fantastic, anthropomorphic setting. What could be a better fit?

Platform: iPhone, Android
Publisher: King

Chances are good that your mom might already have this title. But if not, why don't you introduce her to last summer's puzzle craze, Candy Crush Saga? Like Bejeweled, Candy Crush Saga is the type of three-match puzzle game that can appeal to gamers of all types and commitments. It's simple to play, and even easier to get addicted to, so don't be surprised if she starts burning up her phone battery on this one. Just make sure you explain in-app purchases to her. Otherwise, things could get ugly.

Platform: Wii
Publisher: Majesco

Without getting too patronizing, Cooking Mama is a great game for moms, and it's not just because moms often cook IRL, or some similarly patriarchal idea like that. The Cooking Mama series offers fast, intuitive, and colorful gameplay, creating an experience that is challenging without being intimidating or overwhelming. Let's be honest: your mom probably hasn't played many video games. Starting her out with Cooking Mama: World Kitchen gives her an easy but dynamic launch title that can serve as a gateway for better, more complex games.

Platform: Wii
Publisher: Nintendo

If your mom is a workout freak, or just wants to try and stay in shape, Wii Fit could be the way to go for Mother's Day. The title offers yoga, aerobics, balance games, and light strength training, all perfect for any mom who is looking to stay active. Of course, we can all get a little sensitive about our weight every now and then, so just make sure that she would actually want a game like this before you give it to her. You don't want to send the wrong message to the woman who gave you life.